Rs. 13.5 billion allocated for national school development in 2026

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya said that Rs. 13.5 billion has been allocated in the 2026 Budget for the development of physical resources in national schools and colleges, the highest amount ever allocated for the purpose.

Vested interests behind extension of judicial officers’ retirement age

The government’s move towards extending the retirement age of the judges by two years is aimed at satisfying a few persons and thereby inflicting undue influence on the judiciary, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said in a statement today.

Japan opens employment pathways for Sri Lankan fisheries graduates

Sri Lanka and Japan have reached a policy-level agreement to create technical employment opportunities in Japan for Sri Lankan fisheries graduates while strengthening cooperation to modernize Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector.

Four arrested with 19 revolvers in Dematagoda

The Police have arrested four suspects in possession of 19 revolver-type firearms. According to the police, the suspects and the sizable cache of weapons were uncovered during a special operation carried out by the Western Province Northern Crime Division in the Dematagoda area.

Rupee slips further against US dollar

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated further against the US dollar today (03), compared to Tuesday, with both buying and selling rates showing an increase.

Fire sweeps through a New Delhi building, killing at least 21 people

A fire swept through a building in a New Delhi neighborhood Wednesday (June 3), killing at least 21 people and injuring several others, police said.

TikTok billionaire overtakes Mukesh Ambani as Asia’s second-richest person

Zhang Yiming surpassed Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s second-richest person after a rise in ByteDance Ltd.’s valuation and further progress in the Chinese firm’s AI ambitions.

Medical reports reveal PTSD, depression, anxiety in detained Suresh Salley

Retired Major General Suresh Salley, who is currently being detained and questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, is suffering from depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), his counsel informed Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa money laundering case: Appeal Court issues notice on AG

The Court of Appeal today issued notice on the Attorney General in connection with a revision application filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa in the money laundering case commonly known as the ’Manik Malla’ case, which is pending before the Colombo High Court.

Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman elected UN General Assembly president

According to results announced by the United Nations on Tuesday, Rahman received 99 votes, defeating Cyprus’s Andreas S. Kakouris, who secured 91 votes.

US targets Sri Lanka and 59 other economies in forced labor tariff proposal

The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed imposing additional duties of 10% or ​12.5% on imports from 60 economies after determining their failures to curb trade in ‌goods made with forced labor are unreasonable and restrict U.S. commerce.

Further report filed in US$ 2.5 million Treasury fraud investigation

A further report regarding the incident in which a sum of US$ 2.5 million belonging to the Sri Lankan Treasury was transferred to a fraudulent party, was submitted to Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today by the Criminal Investigation Department.

98 Acres Resort to expand in Ella with USD 5.1M investment deal

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is set for a significant boost following a USD 5.1 million investment agreement signed between the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and the Vella Group to expand the luxury property 98 Acres Resort & Spa in the central highlands of Ella.

Iranian drone attack hits Kuwait airport, wounding people

Kuwait said Wednesday it had suspended commercial flights after an Iranian drone attack hit the country’s airport, wounding a number of people.

Court imposes travel ban on Gotabaya Rajapaksa over Easter Sunday attacks probe

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena imposed a foreign travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two military officers over an ongoing investigation into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Agriculture sector facing collapse due to IMF-backed policies: Farmers’ union

The country’s agricultural sector is facing the threat of collapse due to government policies influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon warned.

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals top one million mark

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has surpassed the one-million visitor mark, recording 1,022,022 tourist arrivals during the first five months of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Fuel price hike due to government mismanagement & corruption – Namal challenges govt. to prove otherwise

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that the government’s decision to increase fuel prices was a direct result of mismanagement, corruption, and irregularities linked to coal imports and power generation.

University of Jaffna students’ body calls for action over Vesak lantern vandalism

The Management Studies & Commerce Students’ Union (MCSU) of the University of Jaffna has strongly condemned the vandalism of a Vesak lantern during a celebration held at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce.

Fire breaks out at Embilipitiya garment factory; 22 employees hospitalized

At least 22 female employees were hospitalized this morning (03) following a fire that broke out at a garment factory in the Embilipitiya area. According to the police, the fire originated inside a warehouse of the textile factory located near the Sudupalama area along the Embilipitiya-Nonagama road.

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from the remainder of his prison sentence after being granted a royal pardon, according to Justice Minister Lt. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, local media reported Wednesday.

Iran plans three-day funeral for assassinated supreme leader

Iran says it will hold a three-day state funeral for late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the Middle East war, at a date to be announced, AFP reports.

Fuel consumption remains high despite price hike: Nalinda

The fuel consumption in the country has not reduced significantly despite the fuel price hike in the recent past, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

School without students

Ethpattiya Junior School in Badalkumbura in Monaragala Education Zone could be the only school in Sri Lanka without any student.

What is next in the treasury bond case after Supreme Court verdict?

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Monday (1), which set aside a High Court-at-Bar order discharging several accused, including Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. and former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, from charges relating to the controversial Central Bank Treasury bond issuance case, has reignited public interest in one of the country’s most high-profile financial case.

Basic cost of living in Sri Lanka tops Rs. 17,000 per person

As the cost of everyday essentials continue to rise, Sri Lankans now need at least Rs. 17,117 a month per person to meet their basic needs, according to the latest official figures.

Deputy Ministers hear public grievances in Trincomalee

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra jointly chaired a Public Day Programme at the Trincomalee District Secretariat yesterday.

Sri Lanka braces for severe heat in July-August

Sri Lanka is expected to experience significantly hotter-than-normal weather conditions during July and August this year as the developing El Niño phenomenon begins to influence the global climate, the Department of Meteorology warned.

US and Iran launch new strikes as ceasefire negotiations stalled

The US military says it has launched ’’self-defense’’ strikes on Iran and shot down ballistic missiles and drones fired at ships and Gulf countries.

JUMVEA chief proposes chassis number requirement for vehicle import LCs

Chairman of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), Jagath Ramanayake, has proposed making a vehicle’s chassis number a mandatory requirement when opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for vehicle imports, in a bid to improve transparency and prevent future controversies.